TI 009E Technical Information Author: Paul Gora FLACHGLAS Wernberg 08/2012
CONTENTS 3 Area of application Process Colour rendering 4 Product features Storage 5 Inspection requirements Quality features Tolerances TI 009E FLACHGLAS Wernberg 08/2012 Seite 2 von 7
AREA OF APPLICATION This Technical Information applies in respect of the assessment of the visual quality of screen printed panes of glass, onto which ceramic colour has been applied either in part or over the entire surface and which is then burned into the glass as part of the manufacturing process to make heat-strengthened glass or toughened safety glass. The guidelines are applicable to all products manufactured within the factories of FLACHGLAS Wernberg GmbH. Tolerance levels and requirements as set out in the guidelines are applicable, in particular, in instances in which no special arrangements (drawings, technical regulations for delivery etc.) have been made between the customer and FLACHGLAS Wernberg GmbH. Where insulation glass is being used, the panes of glass should be assessed separately in respect of their specified characteristics. PROCESS The process involves colour being printed through a close-meshed screen onto the glass surface by means of a squeegee, whereby the strength of the colour applied can be influenced marginally by the diameter of the fibre and the size of the mesh. The application of colour can be opaque or transparent depending on the colour used, but in any event it will be thinner than when using the rotary or casting method. Slight streaks in the direction of print and at right angles thereto are a typical feature of the manufacturing process, depending on the colour used. The following applies to the process : If any medium (sealant, panel adhesive, insulation etc.) is to be applied directly onto the glass on the same side as the colour, the medium will shine through when light colours are used or when the motif is a raster image. If screen printed panes of glass are to be used in an area that must re-main see-through then this must without fail be agreed in advance and checked by means of a range of test samples. Prints are to the greatest possible extent scratch-resistant and partly resistant to acid; their resistance to light or abrasion is in accordance with the durability of ceramic enamel ink. COLOUR RENDERING Prints are reproduced onto float glass as standard. All colours should be inspected by means of looking through the glass (colour at surface #2). Colours may appear to have a different shade or degree of gloss when looked at from the side onto which they have been printed. We do not recommend colours to be selected solely on the basis of a colour chart from any one colour system, since the natural colour of the glass and reflections on the glass surface may cause a different colour appearance. Fluctuations in the production of the colour, in pigment or raw materials used to manufacture the glass or during the stoving process mean that colour deviations within a tolerance level of E 5 cannot be excluded. This must be taken into con-sideration, particularly when placing subsequent orders. In addition, colour rendering is dependent on the strength and type of glass. In order to improve colour consistency throughout different strengths of glass, it is advantageous in respect of certain colours to use glass with low iron oxide (an iron oxide content of approx. 0.02%) ( E 4). Texturised or coloured glass may suffer production related shifts in design or shade of colour. TI 009E FLACHGLAS Wernberg 08/2012 Seite 3 von 7
PRODUCT FEATURES Surface features and characteristics of the glass Glass for building purposes: must be monolithic according to the guidelines for the assessment of the visual quality of tempered glass (toughened safety glass/heat strengthened glass) or the guidelines for the quality of enamelled or screen printed glass issued by the Bundesverband Flachglas e.v. (www.bundesverband-flachglas.de). Printing Printing must be carried out such that the overall visual impression is flawless. Water marks, light areas, colour smears, colour spatters or clouding are not acceptable within the visual field of the glass pane. Depending on the degree of print coverage, production related geometric tolerances in respect of print design, particularly with regard to fine dots, holes, lines etc., may result in the overall impression of the image being altered (Moiré Effect). This is not a valid reason for rejection of the goods, and should be taken into consideration when delivering a replacement or placing a repeat order. Printing with anti-slip properties Separate rules apply in respect of the use of printings with anti-slip properties (please refer to Technical information TI 006E Treatment and cleaning of glass with anti-slip print properties). Weather resistance The weather resistance of the printed glass panes is influenced significantly by environmental conditions. Depending on the amount of rain or air pollution from aggressive substances like SO2, NOX (so-called acid rain) or flue dust, glass and ceramic glass surfaces can become unsightly even after only a couple of months (loss of shine of the coloured surface, coloured deposits, etc.). As a general rule we do not recommend printing onto the enamelled glass surface that will be exposed to the elements. Walkable glass may suffer the following additional types of surface damage: o o Dust, grit and abrasion. These result in a higher degree of deterioration, scratches or surface dirt (e.g. rust stains). Liquids, such as rain water, oil and beverages. Particularly if individual areas are covered and liquids underneath cannot dry very quickly, these can result in surface corrosion or blotchy staining and may even cause the enamel to peel off if the dirt remains on the pane of glass for an extended period of time. As a general rule, any visual inspection of colour should be carried out by looking through the glass (colour at surface #2), as described above. Where highly transparent colours are used, slight scratches, water drips or dirt on the print itself may become visible. STORAGE Printed glass panes, particularly when stacked with interlayers, are prone to corro-sion if they are subjected to moisture for an extended period of time. It is therefore imperative that the panes of glass be kept dry during transport and storage. TI 009E FLACHGLAS Wernberg 08/2012 Seite 4 von 7
INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS The printed glass should be inspected in relation to flaws and colour by looking at the side that has not been printed on. If there are specific guidelines for installation, it is imperative that these be noted on the purchase order. Inspections should be carried out from a distance of approx. 3 m through reflection under diffuse daylight conditions without direct sunlight or backlighting Panes of glass which are intended for use in an area that is to remain see-through should be inspected from both sides under the aforementioned inspection conditions. Use for this purpose, however, must be agreed with FLACHGLAS Wernberg GmbH in advance and specified at the time the order is placed. QUALITY FEATURES The visual quality of the glass should be inspected from a distance of 3 m. Flaws that are not discernible from this distance will not be noted. The inspection must not place any emphasis on complaints. Dot shaped features < 0.5 mm will not be noted 0.5 1.0 mm max. of 3 per m² at a distance of 100 mm 1.0 2.0 mm max. of 2 per glass pane Burnt-in foreign bodies (fluff, hair etc.) Seamed edges Polished/smoothened edges Patterns visible within the print permissible up to a length of 10 mm (max. width of 0.5 mm) 3 mm all around all screen print defects are permissible the edge area of panes of glass with all over print or those where only the edge is printed on must be visibly clean. Paint drips are not acceptable. line shaped patterns are permissible TOLERANCES Tolerances in relation to the position of the design (screen printing) Size of print 200 cm seamed edges ± 2.5 mm other edge finishes ± 2.0 mm Size of print > 200 cm seamed edges ± 4.0 mm other edge finishes ± 3.0 mm Non-parallelism a non-parallelism of up to 2 mm is permissible for all types of edge finishing TI 009E FLACHGLAS Wernberg 08/2012 Seite 5 von 7
How to assess edges when using the screen printing method In accordance with the usual inspection criteria set out to DIN 1249-11. The following applies to smoothed or polished edges: o A gap should be left between the bevel and the print: A gap of at least 2 mm is permitted between the layer of colour and the bevelled edge. It is also possible to print right up to the bevel. The various tolerances are dependent on the size of the pane of glass and are defined in detail in the Quality features section. Tolerances in relation to the geometry of the design Screen printing dots, squares, lines etc. 0 / + 0.2 mm Drilling holes Printing in general Multiple printing (screen printing) Stamping In the case of drilling holes, a 2 mm gap is permissible between the print edge and the edge of the hole. The contours of the print must have a clean finish. A distinct saw tooth pattern is not permissible, nor are a strong scatter pattern, squeegee marks, smears etc. If multiple prints are to be made, it is mandatory that inspection sampling be carried out (usually with a skew tolerance of ± 2.0 mm). Any stamping required is, as standard, applied to the printed surface. TI 009E FLACHGLAS Wernberg 08/2012 Seite 6 von 7
This Technical Information supercedes and replaces all earlier versions. All details provided above, and in particular all suggestions for processing and using our products, are provided on the basis of our knowledge and experience. We do not accept liability in respect of these guidelines nor for any oral advice given, unless we are liable for wilful intent or gross negligence. Products marked with are registered trade marks of Pilkington Deutschland AG or Flachglas MarkenKreis GmbH.